Erin Christine Santa & Robert Joseph “RJ” Mercede

Not long after Erin and RJ’s roommates began dating did the two become fast friends, enjoying group runs, hikes and concerts. Soon feelings grew deeper and RJ worked up the courage to ask Erin out. Good thing she said yes. More than a year later, after moving in together, and putting a deposit on a home that was on one of Erin’s running routes, RJ joined Erin for a morning run. To her surprise, RJ stopped in front of their soon-to-be home and proposed.

The ceremony at the First Church of Christ was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Dean Ahlberg in Redding. A reception followed at the Italian Center in Stamford. Erin’s highlight of that day was, “a reception filled with a blue grass band, food trucks and fire pits, and having a packed dance floor all night.”

Erin is the daughter MaryLynn and Thomas Santa of Redding. A graduate of Joel Barlow High School in Redding, the University of New Hampshire and the University of Connecticut, she manages wholesale energy operations for Santa Energy Corp. in Bridgeport. RJ is the son of Betsy Mercede of Stamford, and Frank and Lori Mercede of Stamford. A graduate of Trinity Catholic High School, Stonehill College and Northeastern University, he is an associate
for Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit
Excellence in Norwalk.

The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Spain before returning to their brand new home in Stamford.